{"id":1687,"date":"2013-07-13T01:36:32","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=1687"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:36:32","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:36:32","slug":"42-darshan-vol-35-letters-on-himself-and-the-ashram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/03-cwsa\/35-letters-on-himself-and-the-ashram\/42-darshan-vol-35-letters-on-himself-and-the-ashram","title":{"rendered":"-42_Darshan.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\n
\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tDarshan <\/font><\/b> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t 
\n<\/b>
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\nAdmission to Darshan
\n<\/b>
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tWrite that usually Sri Aurobindo sees on these days only his disciples, whether those residing in the Asram or those who
\ncome to him from outside, and a few others who are either connected in some way with the Asram, its work or its members
\nor else are given permission for special reasons. Permission is not given to all who would like to come, as that would mean
\nan impossible number and it would besides entirely break the principle of Sri Aurobindo’s retirement.1<\/font><\/sup>
\n\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n5 February 1930 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYou can write to him that he can have permission for himself and his wife \u2014  but for the children it depends on their age, whether
\nthey are young children under ten or not \u2014  young children are not allowed for darshan.
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n17 July 1935 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNobody should ever be asked <\/i>to come for Darshan or Pranam or meditation. If somebody spontaneously asks, it is another
\nmatter. Here too as a rule, there should be no eagerness that they should come. Encouragement should be given only in those
\ncases where there is a good or special reason for it. The number of people coming especially in the August darshan, when the
\nPondicherry people also come, is already very large and we are kept for 7 or 8 hours at a stretch receiving them, so it is not
\nadvisable to go on increasing the numbers under the present circumstances. If a man is especially deserving or likely to be a
\nhelper or sympathiser of the Asram or there is any other reason <\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n1 This and many other letters in this and the next chapters were written by Sri<\/i>
\nAurobindo to his secretary, who replied to the correspondent. \u2014  Ed.<\/i>  
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 <\/font>520<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nfor encouraging him, then of course this general rule does not apply.
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n27 July 1937 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI have heard about you and read your books and feel impelled to ask for your help. In case you think your darshan will help
\nbetter, I most humbly request you to grant me one at your convenience.
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tTell him it is not necessary. Transformation comes only by inner sadhana and development. A darshan can at best only give some
\nstrong experience.
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSeveral times when my mind has become blank I have experienced light descending from higher planes \u2014  probably supramental.
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tBut he has the root experience already in the descent of the Light in the state of blankness. The Light is the Divine Light from the
\nplane of spiritual consciousness above. The supramental comes only at the end of a long sadhana.
\n\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n1 February 1938 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBut who is he? New persons are, as far as possible, refused for November \u2014  unknown persons not recommended by someone
\nknown are usually not permitted at all. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n26 October 1938
\n<\/font>
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t    <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe most we can concede is that she may be brought for Darshan
\nin the way proposed, but she must simply take the blessing and pass, there must be no lingering. It is a mistake to bring sick
\npeople or the insane to the Darshan for cure \u2014  the Darshan is not meant for that. If anything is to be done or can be done for
\nthem, it can be done at a distance. The Force that acts at the time of Darshan is of another kind and one deranged or feeble
\nin mind cannot receive or cannot assimilate it \u2014  it may produce a contrary effect owing to this incapacity if received at all. If
\nthe force is withheld, the Darshan is useless, if received by such   <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 <\/font>521<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

people it is unsafe. It is similar reasons which dictate the rule forbidding children of tender years to be brought to the Darshan.
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\nMaking Pranam during Darshan
\n<\/b> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tThere is no obligation on European visitors to make the pranam
\n[during darshan<\/i>] \u2014  very few have done so, none perhaps. Even from those who have stayed here, it was not asked
\n\u2014  they were
\nleft free to abstain unless they asked for it \u2014  e.g. X<\/i>, Y<\/i>, Z
\n<\/i>and A<\/i>. B <\/i>must not get the impression that we exact it from anybody.
\nI do not know whether a mere "look" at us will help him \u2014 it is only in some cases that that happens, and these usually
\nwhen there was a previous disposition or habit of response to supraphysical Light or Power as in the case of
\nC<\/i>. These days
\nhave been arranged with a view first to their main object, viz. for myself to give the darshan and blessing to the disciples, and
\nthe form of it is designed for that \u2014  visitors first came in as a superfluity, though now except in November they are more than
\nhalf the crowd. But as they are mostly Indians accustomed to this form of the spiritual contact and aware of its meaning, it
\ndoes not usually matter. It is only when a European comes that this difficulty arises
\n\u2014  but it need not be any as he is not asked
\nto make the pranam.
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\nAs for the rest, there is nothing much to say. The distance
\nbetween the man and the Power manifesting through him is not an idea that can trouble the eastern mind, to which the gulf does
\nnot exist, but it is natural to the modern intelligence. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n20 November 1933
\n<\/font>
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIs it possible for darshan to do pranam on behalf of X<\/i>, Y<\/i>, my
\nmother, etc.? <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tIt is not possible to make separate pranams. There are nearly
\n700 people this time, and if all is not rapidly done we shall have to be there till the afternoon 2.30 or 3. Even one minute for each
\nmeans 6 hours for the first 350. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n11 August 1934
\n  
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 <\/font>522<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nRight Attitude towards August Darshan
\n<\/b>
\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSomeone told me that only ten days were left for the August
\n15th Darshan. I replied that every day should be considered as the 15th.
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tThat is the right attitude. Every day should be regarded as a day when a descent may take place or a contact established with
\nthe higher consciousness. Then the 15th itself would be more successful.
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n4 August 1934 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAs to the 15th August, well, don’t lay too much stress on it which is after all more a general than a personal occasion
\n\u2014  for
\nthe individual any day in the year may be the 15th \u2014  that is, the<\/i> birthday or a birthday of something in the inner being. It is with
\nthat feeling that one should do the sadhana. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n13 September 1935
\n<\/font>
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\nRemarks on Darshan
\n<\/b>
\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIt would be very good if you could come out to give Darshan
\nonce a month instead of only three times a year. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tIf I went out once a month, the effect of my going out would be
\ndiminished by one third. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n2 March 1933
\n<\/font>
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhen I came for your Darshan, it seemed as if it was Shiva
\nhimself I was seeing. I felt Ananda too. The consciousness of these things remained for two or three days, and then as if
\nevaporated. <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tThere is no reason to be discouraged by what you call the evaporation of the consciousness that you got on the darshan day. It has not evaporated but drawn back from the surface. That
\nusually happens, when there is not the higher consciousness or some experience. What you have to learn is not to allow
\ndepression, but remain quiet allowing time for the assimilation   <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 <\/font>523<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

and ready for fresh experience or growth whenever <\/i>it comes.
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n4 December 1934
\n<\/font>
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t    <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIt was certainly the best Darshan of all yet passed today, though
\nthose to come will surely exceed it. I was struck by the rapidity with which your consciousness has grown since last time,
\nmuch more solid and insistent and with a power to overcome all mixture. One can surely now have the confidence, not prophetic
\nmerely or founded only on the spiritual necessity in you but also on what has been accomplished, that what is not of a piece with
\nthis growing consciousness will change or disappear! X<\/i>‘s feeling about the darshan was quite true.
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n21 February 1935 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t 
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\nDifficulties at the Time of Darshan
\n<\/b>
\n\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI have heard that at the time of Darshan all our hidden subconscious desires and attachments are thrown up.
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tThere is no such inevitable rule. It is true that attacks are frequent at that time, but one need not admit them.
\n\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n6 July 1934 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDuring this Darshan, instead of Ananda, Force or Light I felt a great dryness.
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\tIt depends upon your condition whether the Ananda or Force or Light descends or whether the resistance rises. It is the resistance
\nof the ordinary physical consciousness ignorant and obscure that seems to have risen in you. The period of the 15th is a period of
\ngreat descents but also of great resistances. This 15th was not an exception.
\n\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\n17 August 1934 <\/font> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t*<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t  <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI do not think that the difficulty you are feeling has anything to do with your receiving what your husband sends you. It very
\noften happens that when the Darshan day is approaching the adverse Forces gather themselves for an attack individually or
\n  
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 <\/font>524<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tgenerally in order to prevent what has to be individually received from being received and what has to be generally brought down
\nfrom being brought down. Also very often there is a strong attack after the darshan day because they want to undo what
\nhas been done or else to stop it from going farther. But as far as the individual is concerned, there is no need of undergoing
\nthis attack; if one is conscious of its nature, one can react and throw it away. Or if it still presses one can keep one’s will and
\nfaith firm and come out of the temporary obstacle with a greater opening and a new progress. The Mother’s force and mine will
\nbe with you always.  
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n 
\n\t\t\t<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 <\/font>525<\/font><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Darshan   Admission to Darshan   Write that usually Sri Aurobindo sees on these days only his disciples, whether those residing in the Asram or…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-35-letters-on-himself-and-the-ashram","wpcat-37-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1687"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1687\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}